Cook's Branch Conservancy stays close to it's roots

Operated as a program of the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation, Cook's Branch Conservancy offers a rare glimpse into what nearly a century of regeneration looks like in the Pineywoods region of East Texas.

By Photos by Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle

on November 21, 2012 7:29 PM

Photo: Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle

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Sarah Mitchell, executive director of the Cook's Branch Conservancy, right, walks through a field of Little Bluestem grass while at the 5,650 acres in Montgomery County north of Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, in Montgomery. Operated as a program of the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation, Cook's Branch Conservancy offers a rare glimpse into what nearly a century of regeneration looks like in the Pineywoods region of East Texas. less

Sarah Mitchell, executive director of the Cook's Branch Conservancy, right, walks through a field of Little Bluestem grass while at the 5,650 acres in Montgomery County north of Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 14, ... more

Sarah Mitchell, executive director of the Cook's Branch Conservancy, left, watches as Linda Campbell examines a native grass growing on the 5,650 acres in Montgomery County north of Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, in Montgomery. less

Sarah Mitchell, executive director of the Cook's Branch Conservancy, left, watches as Linda Campbell examines a native grass growing on the 5,650 acres in Montgomery County north of Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 14, ... more

Scott Mitchell, center, looks into a tree along with his daughter Sarah Mitchell, executive director of the Cook's Branch Conservancy, right to left, Joe Hamrick and Eric Keith while at the 5,650 acres in Montgomery County north of Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, in Montgomery. less

Scott Mitchell, center, looks into a tree along with his daughter Sarah Mitchell, executive director of the Cook's Branch Conservancy, right to left, Joe Hamrick and Eric Keith while at the 5,650 acres in ... more

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle

Scott Mitchell, center, looks into a tree along with his daughter... Photo-3775502.52789 - Houston Chronicle

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A road leads into the 5,650 acres of Cook's Branch Conservancy in Montgomery County north of Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, in Montgomery.

A road leads into the 5,650 acres of Cook's Branch Conservancy in Montgomery County north of Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, in Montgomery.

Sarah Mitchell, executive director of the Cook's Branch Conservancy, right, shares a laugh with Eric Keith, left, and Joe Hamrick, center, while at the 5,650 acres in Montgomery County north of Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, in Montgomery. less

Sarah Mitchell, executive director of the Cook's Branch Conservancy, right, shares a laugh with Eric Keith, left, and Joe Hamrick, center, while at the 5,650 acres in Montgomery County north of Houston, ... more

Scott Mitchell, son of George and Cynthia Mitchell, looks on at the 5,650 acres of Cook's Branch Conservancy in Montgomery County north of Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, in Montgomery.

Scott Mitchell, son of George and Cynthia Mitchell, looks on at the 5,650 acres of Cook's Branch Conservancy in Montgomery County north of Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, in Montgomery.

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle

Scott Mitchell, son of George and Cynthia Mitchell, looks on at the... Photo-3775506.52789 - Houston Chronicle

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Joe Hamrick, a project manager with Raven Environmental Services, gets into a vehicle while driving through the 5,650 acres of Cook's Branch Conservancy in Montgomery County north of Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, in Montgomery. less

Joe Hamrick, a project manager with Raven Environmental Services, gets into a vehicle while driving through the 5,650 acres of Cook's Branch Conservancy in Montgomery County north of Houston, Wednesday, Nov. ... more

Joe Hamrick, a project manager with Raven Environmental Services, points to an area of native grasses at the 5,650 acres of Cook's Branch Conservancy in Montgomery County north of Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, in Montgomery. less

Joe Hamrick, a project manager with Raven Environmental Services, points to an area of native grasses at the 5,650 acres of Cook's Branch Conservancy in Montgomery County north of Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 14, ... more

Sarah Mitchell, executive director of the Cook's Branch Conservancy, right, stands in a field of Little Bluestem grass with Joe Hamrick, a project manager with Raven Environmental Services, left, while at the 5,650 acres in Montgomery County north of Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, in Montgomery. less

Sarah Mitchell, executive director of the Cook's Branch Conservancy, right, stands in a field of Little Bluestem grass with Joe Hamrick, a project manager with Raven Environmental Services, left, while at the ... more

Scott Mitchell, son of George and Cynthia Mitchell, talks with a grounds keeper at the 5,650 acres of Cook's Branch Conservancy in Montgomery County north of Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, in Montgomery.

Scott Mitchell, son of George and Cynthia Mitchell, talks with a grounds keeper at the 5,650 acres of Cook's Branch Conservancy in Montgomery County north of Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, in Montgomery.

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle

Scott Mitchell, son of George and Cynthia Mitchell, talks with a... Photo-3775514.52789 - Houston Chronicle

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A seed floats in the air at the 5,650 acres of Cook's Branch Conservancy in Montgomery County north of Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, in Montgomery.

A seed floats in the air at the 5,650 acres of Cook's Branch Conservancy in Montgomery County north of Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, in Montgomery.

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle

A seed floats in the air at the 5,650 acres of Cook's Branch... Photo-3775515.52789 - Houston Chronicle

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The sun sets over the 5,650 acres of Cook's Branch Conservancy in Montgomery County north of Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, in Montgomery.

The sun sets over the 5,650 acres of Cook's Branch Conservancy in Montgomery County north of Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, in Montgomery.